Left to right: Councillor Wazma Qais – Cabinet Member for Communities, Joe Butler – Solihull Moors Foundation, Khaled Ayad – Robocode and Councillor Karen Grinsell – Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Deputy Leader
Solihull Council are pleased to confirm that the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme will continue this year, with the Easter holiday programme kicking off in mid-April. The announcement comes following the Department for Education providing confirmation of funding for the year ahead.
The HAF programme provides funded places for families eligible for free school meal benefits with a free nutritious lunch. The programme consists of 36 providers across 50 locations, offering a range of activities for children who need support over the holidays, including those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
The children’s activities for the Easter Programme will run from Monday 14 April to Friday 25 April. Activities including arts and crafts, cooking and swimming, plus a wide range of sports from dodgeball and darts, to tennis, football, hockey and netball are available. However, there are also technology-related sessions on offer including; coding, robotics, stop motion animation and game development.
Furthermore, a range family activities for children and parents/carers including swimming, badminton and table tennis are available across the holidays. Running from Saturday 12 April to Sunday 27 April including weekends, at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and North Solihull Sports Centre. Similarly, tennis and Active Antz soft play (under 5s) are additionally available at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre. Other family activities include ice skating at Planet Ice Solihull, with HAF eligible 13 to 16-year-olds able to access the rink without a parent or guardian’s attendance. Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens are also offering a family pass. All participants in family activities at all venues will be provided with a free meal.
All eligible and registered families should now have received an email providing activity booking details.
Even if children are not eligible for a free place, many of the same sessions can still be booked at great value prices. As well as HAF, there are Easter activities and events during the holidays, across Solihull and beyond, both free and chargeable.
Cllr Karen Grinsell, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Deputy Leader of Solihull Council, said:
“I am delighted that the HAF programme will continue for 2025. Having seen first-hand the great work that our providers do for so many children across Solihull, it is fantastic news that families and children who need our support will continue to receive it.
“I encourage families to take up some of these brilliant activities and get involved in the fun at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and North Solihull Sports Centre”.